Florida Higher Ed Funding and Tuition Costs

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Largely as a result of reductions in state funding, Florida students today face higher costs in real terms to attend two- and four-year public colleges and universities than their counterparts did twenty years ago, forcing many of them to go into debt. In comparison to other states, however, average tuition and fees at Florida’s community colleges and four-year universities are below national averages.

While the state has increased funding for financial aid programs, a decreasing share of this aid has been invested in students with the greatest financial need.

Since 1990-1991, average tuition at four-year institutions in Florida rose by 55 percent. This increase is lower than the national average, which increased 113 percent over the same period.

However, average tuition at two-year institutions has risen 94 percent, which is greater than the national average increase of 71 percent.

Tuition, fees, room and board at public, four-year institutions in Florida amounted to 26 percent of median household income in 2010, a 37 percent increase from 1990-1991, when it amounted to 19 percent of median family income.